Prime Minister Morrison backs beach safety at start of summer

December 3, 2019

Marking the start of summer, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has acknowledged Surf Life Saving Australia members for their dedication to saving lives and their commitment to local communities.

Welcoming surf lifesavers and the members of the Parliamentary Friends of Surf Lifesaving group to an event at Parliament House in Canberra yesterday, Prime Minister Morrison stated "every year around 180,000 people from around Australia give up 1.3 million hours to keep watch over our beaches.

“I want to say thank you very much, for everyone across the surf lifesaving movement - you keep Australians safe and you do it as one of the most wonderful traditions of our country through the surf lifesaving movement/”

Prime Minister Morrison, who is Vice-Patron of the Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), went on to say “as we come into summer, Australians gravitate to the coast. It’s part of our lifestyle. It’s who we are. It’s what we love.

“To those heading towards the beach this summer, as I certainly will, swim between the flags, familiarise yourself with the conditions, and make sure you take instructions from those wearing those red and yellow caps.

“They’re there for you to keep you safe. And so you do your job by keeping them safe, by following their instructions.”

The Parliament House event saw life savers presented with Surf Life Saving Australia’s National Rescue Medal for outstanding rescues performed between July-October and the relaunch of the organisation’s rip current campaign ‘Think Line’ for summer.

Over recent months, SLSA has been criticised for prioritising surf sport competitions over its core business of lifesaving.

An ABC analysis of 19 surf lifesaving clubs in NSW showed 15% of their expenditure was on surf competition while 6% was spent on lifesaving.

Image shows Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (at right) with SLSA Chief Executive Adam Weir and President Graham Ford. Courtesy of SLSA.

2nd December 2019 - Rescue tubes trialled at Coffs Harbour beaches to help reduce drownings

2nd December 2019 - Victorian drowning report shows worst toll in 20 years

12th November 2019 - South Australian beach drowning inquest calls for enhanced warning signs and lifesavers to operate over longer hours

7th November 2019 - NSW lifeguards look to halt drownings of foreign swimmers this summer

10th October 2019 - New Surf Life Saving Club Patrol Tower opens at Seacliff

16th September 2019 - Rising drowning deaths coincide with record summer temperatures

21st August 2019 - Former Surf Life Saving NSW executive charged over $2.7 million fraud

3rd July 2019 - Prime Minister Scott Morrison backs Brisbane bid to host Olympic Games

16th June 2019 - NSW Police investigate missing millions at Surf Life Saving NSW

26th May 2019 - Prime Minister Scott Morrison names leisure portfolios in new cabinet

22nd May 2019 - Federal Government won’t deliver on APOLA funding plea to reduce drownings

29th April 2019 - Surf Life Saving Australia shares beach safety challenges

21st April 2019 - Rescuers drown after boat flips in surf off Victoria’s Great Ocean Road

7th February 2019 - Surf Life Saving Australia receives funding for its Seniors fitness program

10th December 2018 - Lotterywest provides $700,000 to Surf Life Saving WA to support nippers program

4th September 2018 - Surf Life Saving announces return of The Aussies to Perth in 2022

2nd January 2018 - Prime Minister Turnbull pledges further $3 million to surf lifesavers to curb drowning deaths

14th December 2017 - Surf Life Saving Australia reveals 116 coastal drowning deaths in 2016/17

15th April 2017 - Volunteers praised as Surf Life Saving season draws to an end

30th January 2017 - Surf Life Saving Victoria marks 70 years

19th August 2016 - Surf Life Saving Australia announces transformation of Australian IronMan and IronWoman Series

26th January 2016 - Rod Laver, Graham Ford and David Gallop recognised in Australian Day honours

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